Impalila Island

Impalila Island is one of the best islands in Namibia and lies in the middle of the Zambezi River, about 25 minutes from the confluence of the Chobe River. The island is inhabited and there are many small fishing and farming villages complete with schools, churches, and tiny shops. As many people come to the island from Botswana there is a small immigration office in a hut on the south side of the island. The island interior is forested with baobabs, water figs, knobthorn, mopane, pod mahogany, and star chestnut trees. On the river banks, you find jackal berries and the Chobe water berry tree. In the middle of the island, there is a particularly old and large baobab tree that is possible to climb (however, this is extremely dangerous as the 'ladder' consists of nails sticking out of the tree trunk and there are no safety ropes — it is entirely at your own risk). If you make it to the top you can see the point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia meet.

Surrounding Impalila Island, the area is similar to that found in the northern part of the Okavango Delta where deep water channels are lined with papyrus and there are quiet lagoons covered in waterlilies. While elephants and buffalo are sometimes seen near and on the island, they are more commonly seen beside the Chobe River. Hippos and crocodiles can be seen in the waters and there is spectacular birdlife. African skimmers nest on the exposed sandbanks and reed cormorants dry their wings on the papyrus while various kingfishers hover about the water to find food.

Location: Eastern tip of Namibia, bordering Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.